Planning a summer soiree? Heading to a BBQ? Way too hot but craving something with a touch of tannic grip? A chilled red is the answer! Although red wine often conjures up the image of a crackling fireplace, a lightly chilled red wine can actually make for a wonderful reprieve from usual summer standbys like rosé and Sauvignon Blanc. High acid, low tannin, moderate alcohol reds are perfect in warmer weather. To achieve the ideal temperature for your summer red, place your bottle in the fridge for approximately 30 minutes before serving, and this should achieve temperatures of 50-55 degrees F. Here are a few examples of super tasty and refreshing reds worth trying this summer:
A Summer BBQ
There’s nothing better than a backyard BBQ in the summer! Pinot Noir can be paired with juicy burgers, barbequed chicken or grilled mushrooms. Pinot Noir is layered, complex, and a delightful departure from the season’s usual choices. The bright fruit flavors are perfect for summertime when the living is easy!
Domaine Antonin Guyon, Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Rouge 'Les Dames de Vergy' 2015
Hailing from Burgundy, Domaine Antonin Guyon Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Rouge 'Les Dames de Vergy’ is sourced from vineyards on one of the most prestigious estates in the Côte d’Or, as well as one of the largest family-owned wineries in the region. Located on south facing slopes in Meuilley, in the hills above Nuits-Saint-George, this Pinot Noir is a ruby red wine full of fresh cherry aromas. It is elegant and delicious, perfect for a summer barbeque or with a cheese plate.
A Day at the Beach
Are you planning on spending the day with your toes in the sand? Bring a bottle of Grenache! Grenache evokes the Mediterranean climate from which it originates – even if it is handcrafted hundreds of miles away from its country of origin! When lightly chilled, Grenache (or Garnacha, as it is called in Spain) wine makes for a great drink in summertime.
Erasmo Barbera-Garnacha is produced from a traditional Mediterranean variety that has been transported and to the Maule Valley, Chile. Stainless steel fermented and unoaked, the resulting wine is fresh, lively and juicy, with a persistent fruitiness. Intense aromas of ripe, wild berries and mocha are set against a fresh, youthful palate with lively acidity.
An Outdoor Lunch
If you’ve ever had the luxury of visiting Italy, then you know Italians love lunchtime! A typical lunch in Italy can last upwards of 3 hours… so why not indulge in a longer lunch and enjoy the sunshine while sipping Frappato? A lively Frappato wine will transport you straight to Sicily. Frappato is a native Sicilian grape variety that is light-bodied and has a low level of soft tannins. Although Frappato is often used to soften the bigger bolder reds, it is a stand-out on its own and makes for easy drinking.
Planeta, Frappato DOC Vittoria 2016
From the soils of Sicily comes Frappato DOC Vittoria, one of the Planeta winery’s most exceptional wines. Produced from a unique grape variety and cultivated on a small number of hectares, Planeta’s Frappato is the perfect combination of tradition and innovation. Characteristically floral with notes of rose, citrus and red fruit, you’ll find this wine to be well-balanced and light.
An Evening Bonfire
A lighter-bodied red like Valpolicella can make the perfect companion at a bonfire on a summer’s evening…or if you’re having a pizza night! Valpolicella is fruity, light, and easy to drink. It also tastes great when lightly chilled—so summertime is a great time to rediscover this red.
From Veneto, Italy, Bertani is one of the most important and influential wine producers in the region. Bertani Valpolicella has a light structure with flavors of plum, raspberry and sour cherry that balance the spicy notes found in this wine most reminiscent of pepper and cinnamon. Bertani Valpolicella is fresh and pleasant, and delicious when paired with pasta dishes, pizza and grilled foods.
If You’re Feeling Adventurous…
Chances are you’ve never heard of Bittuni… and we don’t blame you! This ancient grape variety was practically extinct before the winemakers at Recanti winery in Israel revived it. With a light color, soft tannins and moderate alcohol, Bittuni is an exceptional wine for summer. It recalls elements of Pinot Noir and Grenache.
Recanati Bittuni 2016
Recanati Bittuni is a light, flowery wine with a bouquet of red cherries and Mediterranean spices. Harvested from dry-farmed vineyards and grown using the traditional overhead arbor trellising method, Bittuni is delightful, easy to drink…and off the beaten path!